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So - I love the number 3. I see it everywhere in everything. It's my God/Divine/Magic type number. I like to do things in three's and schedule events on "3" days where the day of the month is a multiple of 3. (I promise I don't have OCD)

(If there is already a thread like this, just let me know - I searched but didn't find one with the same content. )

I'd like to create a comprehensive list of all the three card spreads we can think of - I know there's a lot. I'd like to continually edit this post and put all of them at the beginning of this thread for easy viewing.

This is the list myself and my local tarot group (there's three of us) have put together so far: (I haven't come up with interps for all of the ones that aren't as obvious as PPF, so please feel free fill in the blanks) Also, if any of these spreads were created and posted by people on this forum - I thank you in advance

1. PPF (Past/Present/Future)

2. Question/Querent/Probable Solution

3. Body/Mind/Spirit

4. Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow

5. Last Week/This Week/Next Week

6. Last Month/This Month/Next Month

7. Red Light/Green Light/Yellow Light

Red Light - Don't do this

Green Light - Go ahead and do this

Yellow Light - Caution/be careful/be aware of this

8. Subconcious/Concious/Superconcious

9. CPU/Monitor/Keyboard

CPU - Querent's thoughts on the issue

Monitor - How the querent views the issue

Keyboard - What the Q can "input" so the issue will work in their favor

10. Sun/Moon/Stars

Sun - What you see clearly

Moon - What you're having a hard time seeing.

Stars - What you wish will happen.

11. I/Love/You

I - How the Q feels about a person or relationship

Love - What the Q loves most about the person or relationship

You - How the Q's partner feel about the Q or their relationship with the Q.

12. Maiden/Mother/Crone

Maiden - Where or in what the Q or their issue is just starting to develop

Mother - What is in "full bloom" or has a very robust energy.

Crone - What is coming to pass or lessening in energy

13. Yes/No/Maybe (Not sure if this one needs an interp)

14. Gas/Liquid/Solid (Checking the status of what you're trying to manifest)

Gas - What's still in the form of pure energy or thought in your life/What's "hanging out" in the ethers.

Liquid - What's starting to flow and slowly come into your life.

Solid - What's completely manifested and visible to you.

15. Querent/Partner/Outcome (For Love readings)

16. Illusion/Knowledge/Magic

17. Child/Parent/Adult

Child - Where in the Q's life they're like a child.

Parent - Where in the Q's life they're like a parent.

Adult - Where in the Q's life they're like an adult.

18. Idea/Challenge/Advantage

19. Challenge/Opportunity/Action

20. Issue/Action/Outcome

21. Inner Self/Outer Self/Advice

22. Waxing/Full Moon/Waning

23. The three wiseman? (I don't remember the story)

24. Situation/Advice/Outcome (Major Tom)

25. Where I am/Where I need to be/How do I get there (Magecot)

26. Sun/Moon/Rising (ascendant) (More on these interps further down in this thread) (purple_scorp)

There are so many ways you can do a 3-card spread. Those are great ideas. I'm lazy, I suppose...I just cut the deck into three piles, turn over the top card on each pile, and "make up" the positions then and there, as the cards tell me!
Can't wait to see others' variations on this tried-and-true spread.

__________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body. Rather, one should skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW--what a ride!"
--Anon

DeLani,
I like your idea. Do you do that when you are reading for somebody else (make up the card postions on the spot?) Sometimes I do that for myself when I'm messing around with a deck, but have never tried it when reading for others. It sounds intuitive.

skytwig,
If by soul number you mean adding up your birth date - mine is 5. I have a friend that works as an angel channel. I told her about my fascination with the number three and she said she used to be the same way - that she would always cut her sandwiches in three's before eating them, etc. She believes that God has three parts or three aspects and that's why we see the number three so much in daily life and in story and myth. I've have some interesting synchronicities with the number three. If you're interested, let me know and I'll post them.

Dead Star,
Sorry to overwhelm you. My thoughts about this post were there would be so many different "three" spreads that most people would be able to find a few that resonate with them and use those. For instance, if you like computers, the CPU/Monitor/Keyboard one may really sync with you or if you have a science mind, the Gas/Liquid/Solid one may stick with you.

Originally posted by Jen DeLani,
I like your idea. Do you do that when you are reading for somebody else (make up the card postions on the spot?) Sometimes I do that for myself when I'm messing around with a deck, but have never tried it when reading for others. It sounds intuitive.

Yep to both. Although I rarely do 3-card readings for clients, since for their money I think they expect a little more than "merely" three cards. But for specific questions, or even for complicated ones, it is so direct and accurate you can't beat it.

__________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body. Rather, one should skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW--what a ride!"
--Anon